Still fighting the fuel problems

Bud Kennedy · September 01, 2019, 09:28:48 AM

After all the work of a complete new set of fuel lines and connectors, New primer bulb and some carb work the problem still remains. The motor starts and idles perfectly, it just won't produce enough RPMs to get on plane. I still have some blocking in the carbs that could be dirt or debris. I thought the fuel filter system would take care of this but the problem still happens. First time throttle up to go on plane the motor tops out at about 3100 rpms and that is not enough to get on plane. I need about 4000 rpms to do that . Currently I just shut it all down and let everything sit for a few minutes. Restart the motor and then I can sometimes get enough rpms to get to plane. This step may have to be repeated a couple times before I have success. Once on plane the performance is normal and will be good for the rest of the outing. Next time out I have to do it all over again. Quite frankly it is a PITA and has destroyed any confidence I may have with this motor. Something is causing the fuel starvation it is just a matter of correcting what ever that is. The shop wants to clean all the carbs and they want to drain the fuel out of the tanks and try to clean the tanks but they wanted to do that this winter. I might just have to live with this situation until then. They claim the fuel pump is fine but I am not convinced. Heck it could even be a reed problem for all I know. The best solution is probably a newer motor but I am reluctant to spend the money at this time. I am getting tired of pumping money into this motor that is for sure.

Oldfart9999 · September 01, 2019, 10:05:47 AM

I'd have the fuel pump rebuilt or replaced and the tank cleaned out, at this point, the fuel lines flushed and the bowels taken off the carbs and any screens cleaned. There can be a pin hole in a fuel pump diaphragm and it'll still pump fuel erratically but pump fuel. The rest should take care of any loose particles.
Rodney

merc1997 · September 01, 2019, 01:09:44 PM

Quote from: Bud Kennedy on September 01, 2019, 09:28:48 AM
After all the work of a complete new set of fuel lines and connectors, New primer bulb and some carb work the problem still remains. The motor starts and idles perfectly, it just won't produce enough RPMs to get on plane. I still have some blocking in the carbs that could be dirt or debris. I thought the fuel filter system would take care of this but the problem still happens. First time throttle up to go on plane the motor tops out at about 3100 rpms and that is not enough to get on plane. I need about 4000 rpms to do that . Currently I just shut it all down and let everything sit for a few minutes. Restart the motor and then I can sometimes get enough rpms to get to plane. This step may have to be repeated a couple times before I have success. Once on plane the performance is normal and will be good for the rest of the outing. Next time out I have to do it all over again. Quite frankly it is a PITA and has destroyed any confidence I may have with this motor. Something is causing the fuel starvation it is just a matter of correcting what ever that is. The shop wants to clean all the carbs and they want to drain the fuel out of the tanks and try to clean the tanks but they wanted to do that this winter. I might just have to live with this situation until then. They claim the fuel pump is fine but I am not convinced. Heck it could even be a reed problem for all I know. The best solution is probably a newer motor but I am reluctant to spend the money at this time. I am getting tired of pumping money into this motor that is for sure.

bud, out all the work that you have done to that engine, i can't recall you saying anything about replacing the reeds. are they new reeds or still the old ones??

bo

Bud Kennedy · September 01, 2019, 01:28:28 PM

Bo, as far as i know the reeds are still the originals. If they have been replaced by a previous owner I would not know. I only know they have not been replaced in the 12 years I have owned this boat. The power head has been replaced but sure don't remember any words about reed replacement. As you know I have a lot of money tied up in this old motor and have been wondering just how much more it is gonna take. Sooner or later I need to think about just biting the bullet and putting on a new motor. I can keep fixing this old one but when it is all done, I will still have an old motor if you know what I mean. I keep hoping the next fix will be the one to get it done but it has not worked out that way. So do I mess around and spend another $2k or just get rid of it and spend $14K and be done with it. If I was a much younger man I would just go ahead and get a whole new boat. I just like the old boat I have thats all.

Capt. BassinLou · September 01, 2019, 01:31:11 PM

Bud, would a newer used outboard be a better option for you? These new OB's are very pricey!!

Bud Kennedy · September 01, 2019, 01:40:43 PM

Lou, I have been looking for used for a couple years and have not been able to find one that is worth a darn. I just don't want any that have been in saltwater thats for sure. The other deal is that even the used are costly and really not worth the risk unless I know the history of the motor. I would do a used but I would want some dealer backed rigging and support. Since my boat is a 1991 the weight of the motor is very very important. I plan on staying with a 2 stroke. My hull just would be marginal for the weight of a 4 stroke according to what I have learned about re powering a vintage boat. That leaves me few choices and right now my selection would be an Evinrude ETec HO

Princeton_Man · September 01, 2019, 03:08:06 PM

Quote from: Bud Kennedy on September 01, 2019, 01:40:43 PM
Lou, I have been looking for used for a couple years and have not been able to find one that is worth a darn. I just don't want any that have been in saltwater thats for sure. The other deal is that even the used are costly and really not worth the risk unless I know the history of the motor. I would do a used but I would want some dealer backed rigging and support. Since my boat is a 1991 the weight of the motor is very very important. I plan on staying with a 2 stroke. My hull just would be marginal for the weight of a 4 stroke according to what I have learned about re powering a vintage boat. That leaves me few choices and right now my selection would be an Evinrude ETec HO

New Etec is definitely the bast way to go. Depending on whether you go with a G1 or a G2 you could have up to 10 years of warranty. With a G1 you won't have to service for 3 years or 300 hours whichever you hit first. The G2 if I'm not mistaken is 5 years or 500 hours. It's like getting a new boat! The G2 also gives you hydraulic steering!

Just be sure you up your agreed insurance value with your insurance company.

Bud Kennedy · September 01, 2019, 03:36:13 PM

Quote from: Princeton_Man on September 01, 2019, 03:08:06 PM
New Etec is definitely the bast way to go. Depending on whether you go with a G1 or a G2 you could have up to 10 years of warranty. With a G1 you won't have to service for 3 years or 300 hours whichever you hit first. The G2 if I'm not mistaken is 5 years or 500 hours. It's like getting a new boat! The G2 also gives you hydraulic steering!

Just be sure you up your agreed insurance value with your insurance company.

JIm, the 10 year warranty deal seems to be a winter season deal. I have no problem waiting for it. The Mrs. Likes the G2 because she liked the color of the ad which showed a blue one. Personally I don't care and normal old E Tech similar to yours woud he just fine and would fit well under my Ranger cover. Gonna get a bit more serious about looking at this time. I plan on calling the Rude folks to get down to brass tacks about what is best for my particular hull . I also want straight information about gauges etc. Seems like no one around my area can give me a straight answer. If I go this way then I still have to have the fuel tanks on the boat cleaned before putting on a new motor. Hell I don't even know for sure that the tanks are a problem but after 29 years it seems logical. Hopefully the Rude folks can get me the "real" information instead of some of the off the cuff stuff I get from folks in my area. I just want to be dang sure.

Princeton_Man · September 01, 2019, 04:20:34 PM

Quote from: Bud Kennedy on September 01, 2019, 03:36:13 PM

JIm, the 10 year warranty deal seems to be a winter season deal. I have no problem waiting for it. The Mrs. Likes the G2 because she liked the color of the ad which showed a blue one. Personally I don't care and normal old E Tech similar to yours woud he just fine and would fit well under my Ranger cover. Gonna get a bit more serious about looking at this time. I plan on calling the Rude folks to get down to brass tacks about what is best for my particular hull . I also want straight information about gauges etc. Seems like no one around my area can give me a straight answer. If I go this way then I still have to have the fuel tanks on the boat cleaned before putting on a new motor. Hell I don't even know for sure that the tanks are a problem but after 29 years it seems logical. Hopefully the Rude folks can get me the "real" information instead of some of the off the cuff stuff I get from folks in my area. I just want to be dang sure.

With the Etec G1 you can keep and use your existing gauges but at a bare minimum you'll want to add a small idiot gauge that will display alarms. You may have noticed the one I have next to my ignition switch. You can also replace either your existing tachometer with an iCommand gauge which still has the tachometer but displays engine data as well.

With the G2, you'll have to replace some rigging including the tach with an ICON gauge. No option out.

merc1997 · September 02, 2019, 10:40:51 AM

Quote from: Bud Kennedy on September 01, 2019, 01:28:28 PM
Bo, as far as i know the reeds are still the originals. If they have been replaced by a previous owner I would not know. I only know they have not been replaced in the 12 years I have owned this boat. The power head has been replaced but sure don't remember any words about reed replacement. As you know I have a lot of money tied up in this old motor and have been wondering just how much more it is gonna take. Sooner or later I need to think about just biting the bullet and putting on a new motor. I can keep fixing this old one but when it is all done, I will still have an old motor if you know what I mean. I keep hoping the next fix will be the one to get it done but it has not worked out that way. So do I mess around and spend another $2k or just get rid of it and spend $14K and be done with it. If I was a much younger man I would just go ahead and get a whole new boat. I just like the old boat I have thats all.

your reeds would be a very good place to look. when your reeds are leaking, you are actually flooding your engine. if and when you ever get up on plane, then it will run somewhat like normal. replacing the reeds is not too bad of a repair. it just amazes me that your "so called good mechanics" have not explored that issue way before now, especially when they went through the carbs and you are still experiencing what sounds to me like a flooding issue.

bo